Shelby Criminal Lawyers

I represent people who need help in the criminal justice system. That help can take different forms. Sometimes you may need a champion. Sometimes, a counselor. Others, a diplomat, a strong voice, or a rock. Maybe all of the above. After more than twenty-two years as a prosecutor, first as an Assistant District Attorney and later as a fed working as an Assistant United States Attorney, I started the Pritchard Firm because I wanted to stand on my own, but also because I wanted to stand for the everyday man and woman facing what often seems like the worst situation of...

Whether you have been charged with a traffic infraction or are being accused of a major felony, you need someone whose first concern is your best interests. With Brad K. Hodgins, Attorney at Law, you can rest assured that your case will be thoroughly reviewed. Our law offices in Wadesboro, North Carolina are conveniently located directly across the street from the courthouse. Brad knows that no case is minor if it is your case. You can count on Brad to handle your case with the personal attention you deserve. Feel free to to learn more about how Brad...

Serving North Carolina, Boone and the High Country since 1987

Anthony Tuorto graduated from Vermont Law School and completed an externship in the Buncombe County Public Defender's Office. Anthony served for several years as an Assistant District Attorney in Henderson, Polk, and Transylvania Counties before entering private practice. His years in the public sector have given him the opportunity to try hundreds of cases, spend countless hours in the courtroom, and develop expertise in all aspects of criminal law.

Christopher B. "Chris" Reinhardt is a native and life long resident of North Carolina. He is a second generation attorney, his father being an accomplished real estate attorney in Durham, North Carolina. Chris was admitted to practice in 2003, North Carolina and has practiced in the Asheville area since being admitted. Community: Chris is currently the Legal Counsel for Daniel Boone Council of the Boy Scouts of America serving all of the 14 western most counties of North Carolina. Chris is a Past-President of the Brevard College Alumni Advisory Board, which he has been a member of from...

Mr. Privette has developed a diversified law practice and is capable of handling your legal needs. He is experienced in business and civil litigation, advising clients with respect to establishing business corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships as well as buying or selling a business, assisting clients with employment issues such as wrongful denial of benefits (unemployment, disability, or workers compensation), discrimination and sexual harassment. Mr. Privette represents individuals who have suffered the effects of personal or workplace injuries and represents clients zealously to ensure that they attain the compensation they deserve. He offers clients real estate services including but not...

Ana S. Nuñez practices in both our Criminal Defense and our Immigration practice areas. She was recruited from the Public Defender’s office in Wake County. Being an immigrant herself, she understands the importance of having an advocate in your corner when you need it the most. Fluent in Spanish, Ana serves on the Governor’s advisory council on Hispanic/Latino affairs, she has been named a Top 40 Under 40 Attorney by the National Trial Lawyers, and she was recognized with the Citizen Lawyer Award by the NC Bar Association for exemplary public service to her community. She is a graduate of...

Kimberly Olsinski received her Bachelor of Arts, with honors, in History and Sociology from the College of William and Mary, where she completed her degree in three years. She attended Hofstra University School of Law, where she graduated in the top fourteen percent of her class. At Hofstra, she participated in the Law Reform clinic, and was an editor of the Labor and Employment Law Journal. Mrs. Olsinski has completed a ten-day intensive seminar emphasizing effective trial advocacy techniques.

While in law school, Mrs. Olsinski worked for the legal department of a big insurance company. Upon graduating, she switched sides and...

For all your Family Law and Criminal Defense needs, Call Jonathan! - (704) 873-5500

Since earning his law degree with honors in 2001, Statesville, North Carolina, attorney Jonathan D. Griffin has dedicated his professional energies to advocating vigorously for clients in Iredell County and the surrounding area. Today, our extremely active, thriving practice at Griffin Law, PLLC, is focused on divorce, child custody, criminal defense, DWI, and traffic law.

Originally from Poughkeepsie, NY, Tom now calls Charlotte, NC home with his wife and four kids. A seasoned criminal defense and family law trial attorney, Tom has made a name for himself in handling extremely contentious custody cases and high-level felonies. He has handled cases in both federal and state courts. Tom went to law school at Liberty University School of Law in Lynchburg, VA, where he graduated cum laude. While in school Tom interned at the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Virginia. While at the USAO, Tom helped prosecute all levels of criminal cases, from misdemeanor...

Heather Fox is a highly skilled and dedicated criminal defense attorney based in the heart of Iredell County, North Carolina. With a passion for justice and a commitment to defending the rights of individuals facing legal challenges, Heather has earned a reputation as a tenacious advocate both inside and outside the courtroom. For Heather, every case is an opportunity to make a difference, protect rights, and seek justice. Heather was born and raised in Statesville, North Carolina. She is a double graduate from Liberty University, having completed her Bachelor’s degree in English in 2016 and her Juris Doctor in 2020. After...

Mr. Dummit is an aggressive trial attorney who has earned a reputation for successfully and professionally representing his clients in the courtroom. He routinely represents clients with charges varying from Driving While Impaired to Drug Trafficking in criminal courts. Mr. Dummit also litigates for victims in cases ranging from simple auto negligence to medical malpractice and wrongful death cases. He has focused his practice in actual courtroom litigation for 20 years and has had extensive experience in district and superior courts, and in both State and Federal Courts. Mr. Dummit has taught seminars to other attorneys on civil and criminal...

After a failed marriage of 26 years, 5 children and a two year custody battle; I knew becoming a family lawyer was my dream.

I have been a nurse since 1991, I spent the first years of my career delivering babies at Forsyth Hospital. After 5 years, I discovered that I really wanted to be at home with my children and I started a Nursing Triage Company that now operates in almost 1/2 of the United States.

I had the perfect life, a company that was successful and allowed me to be a mom. Then; my life was turned upside...

James Darren (J.D.) Byers jdbyershs Education Wake Forest U, JD, 1992 The Citadel, BA, 1989 Bar Admissions North Carolina State Bar All Federal Courts in North Carolina Biography Practicing in North Carolina since 1994, J.D. Byers is an attorney dedicated to serving clients in legal practice areas where he has strong qualifications and experience. A diligent and aggressive criminal defender, he looks at all defense angles, visits scenes of accidents when necessary, and communicates actively with clients. His track record includes success in both state and federal courts, on offenses ranging from traffic...

Nick Benjamin is a former police officer, prosecutor and North Carolina Assistant Attorney General. He has practiced for nearly a decade in Asheville North Carolina. The majority of his time practicing law came as a prosecutor in Buncombe County, where he has prosecuted everything from speeding tickets to first degree murder. Nick left the Buncombe County District Attorney's Office in July 2022 (when he was focusing on violent crimes and firearms offenses) to start his own practice. In addition to an extensive criminal law background which includes over 300 bench trials and over 40 jury trials, Nick was an assistant...

We at Dummit Fradin are proud to work alongside Attorney Michael S. Fradin in providing legal representation of the highest caliber to our clients. His areas of practice include criminal law and sports law. Well-versed about DUI laws and how to defend accused drivers, he furthered his knowledge by completing a DWI Detection and SFST Training Program with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. He has also spoken on DWI at various seminars. When it comes to protecting the rights of the men and women we represent, he lets nothing stand in his way. He works diligently to obtain the...

I am a solo practitioner in Asheville, North Carolina. I serve Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania and the surrounding Western North Carolina counties. I focus my practice primarily on family law related issues, including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, and criminal law related issues including traffic and juvenile matters.

Valerie grew up in Alabama and obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. During her undergraduate studies, Valerie became interested in the study and practice of law. She went on to attend the Charlotte School of Law, where she served as the president of the Trial Advocacy Board and had the opportunity to try cases in front of attorneys and judges across the country. Valerie has furthered her experience in the practice of law through her work with the nationally recognized Cochran Firm; and she has gained perspective from the bench by clerking...

I am a US Marine Core veteran committed to protecting your interests and providing excellent service.

James O. Rice, Jr. is an experienced criminal defense attorney in Asheville, who can provide you with the strong legal representation you need to fight the charges against you. When your future is on the line, it’s critical that you have someone on your side who will fight zealously for your freedom. Attorney Rice has assisted numerous clients against criminal charges, and can offer you his expertise and resources in order to help you develop a solid legal defense against the prosecution. Attorney Rice has experience with a variety of criminal law matters in North Carolina, including but not...

Following a successful 15-year career managing several well-known retail stores throughout the country, Mr. Lundell decided to refocus his passion for customer service and apply it to the practice of law. His determination to provide superior “customer” – or client – service is the keystone of his relationships with each and every client. “Whether carefully guiding parents through a highly emotional child custody dispute, or navigating a conflict between employer and employee, it is important to me that the people with whom I interact are provided sound legal advice in a language they understand. ‘You have to...

Britt graduated form the University of Oregon School of Law in 2003. She began her legal career with the District Attorneys office and served for 11 years including time spent as Chief Prosecutor for the 24th District Attorney’s office, prosecuting homicide cases in Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, Yancey, and Madison Counties. Britt uses her knowledge and passion for litigation to work on behalf of her clients through the entire legal process from indictment, pre- and post-trial hearings, jury selection, and litigation to sentencing. Britt and her husband John live in Boone with their two children – Lilly and Reed.

I have practiced law since 2004, defending clients who were accused of everything from shoplifting to murder, trying more than 25 cases to a jury verdict. I have also represented clients in civil rights cases, personal injury, real estate, debt collection, divorce/custody, adult and child protective services, administrative adjudications, and appeals. My experience has given me a broad range of legal knowledge that I can readily adapt to new cases. I live in and love the mountains in the outskirts of Waynesville, Haywood County.

For six years, Craig worked for the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of North Carolina. As an Assistant United States Attorney, he was responsible for conducting criminal investigations and prosecuting cases in federal court. Craig handled cases involving armed robberies, bank robberies, firearms offenses, firearms trafficking and straw purchasing, drug trafficking, drug conspiracies, money laundering, communicating interstate threats, cyberstalking, and assaults on federal officers. As the district’s National Security / Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council Coordinator for two years, he was responsible for investigating violations of federal crimes involving national security, domestic violent extremism, domestic terrorism, and energy facility and...

Martin is a partner at Gottholm, Ralston and Benton, PLLC. In almost 20 years of practicing law, his experience includes roles as an assistant District Attorney and District Court Judge. Martin practices primarily in the area of criminal defense. He has represented clients on charges ranging from speeding tickets to first degree murder. Having been a former Judge and Prosecutor has brought Martin a varied perspective and wealth of experience as a criminal defense Attorney. That experience is both recognized by his peers and appreciated by his clients. You will find no one more zealous and committed to advocating on...

Mr. Teague is general practice attorney and a graduate of Appalachian State University and Wake Forest University School of Law. Mr. Teague is originally from Boone, North Carolina and returned to Boone to practice in 2007. Mr. Teague believes strongly in a commitment to personal service when handling his clients legal issues.

Attorney Darrin Gamradt is a Concord criminal defense lawyer who focuses his practice on DUI charges, as well as cases involving juvenile crimes, drug crimes, theft crime, white collar crimes, and more. Beyond his criminal practice, he is also able to help injured workers who are dealing with workers’ compensation claims. As a Minnesota native, Darrin first attended high school at St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights, where he was proud to win both a state and national championship as a member of the debate team. Following graduation, he earned a presidential scholarship and moved to Winston-Salem, NC...

Jason is a 1993 graduate of Oak Ridge Military Academy. From there, he attended The Citadel, the military college of South Carolina. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in business administration in 1997. Jason attended Cumberland School of Law, at Samford University, in Birmingham, Alabama where he received his Juris Doctorate in 2000. He has been a member of the North Carolina State Bar since 2001. Jason has practiced law full time in the Iredell County and surrounding areas since 2001 and joined the firm of Gottholm, Ralston and Benton, PLLC in 2014. Jason practices primarily in...

Born in Shelby, NC July 18, 1978. I grew up in Kings Mountain, NC. Appalachian State University, 2002; University of South Carolina School of Law, 2008. Member: North Carolina Bar Association; Iredell County Bar Association Bio: I taught US History for three years at Hunter Huss High School in Gastonia North Carolina. During my time as a teacher, I also coached the boys and girls soccer teams and participated in other school activities. I am an avid Appalachian State football fan and enjoy traveling to Boone, NC for the games. ...

Thomas W. Smothers offers the necessary expertise to negotiate with the State regarding your charges. When prosecutors are forced to deal with our firm, they realize that we have what it takes to go to trial. Keeping this in mind, Attorney Smothers is always able to negotiate from a position of strength.

Practicing for over 20 years in Yadkin County Traffic and Criminal Courts. Graduated From Campbell University School of Law

James is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Federal and State Criminal Law and Family Law with a trial practice in criminal, domestic, and general litigation. He is deeply committed to excellence and professionalism in the practice of law, having served on the North Carolina State Bar Specialization Criminal Law Committee, the North Carolina State Bar Board of Continuing Legal Education, and was Issue Planning Editor of the Law Review at Regent University. James also lectures at criminal, family law, and trial practice continuing legal education (CLE) programs, and is regularly designated by the Capital Defender as lead counsel...

Education:
Emory University (BA in Political Science, 2002)
Campbell University (J.D., 2007)
-SBA representative
-Honor Court Justice
-Dean of Delta Theta Phi
-Moot Court Team
-ATLA Trial Team

Professional Memberships:
North Carolina State Bar
Judicial District 19A Bar
North Carolina Bar Association
North Carolina Advocates for Justice (formerly North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers)
American Bar Association
American Association for Justice (formerly American Trial Lawyers Association)

Family:
Married to fellow attorney and former law partner: Luke Baker
Two children: Garrett and Audrey
Two dogs: Phoebe and...

I am married with 3 children. I was raised in WV by two wonderful parents. My dad worked in a glass factory, and later after it closed, an aerospace manufacturer. I know the value of a hard earned dollar and maintain low fees to help everyone. I have experience in all aspects of criminal law including DWI, Speeding, various misdemeanors and felonies. I also handle employment law, personal injury and worker's compensation. I enjoy mediating divorce/custody cases and doing adoptions. I have vast experience with Domestic violence cases all over the western part...